Lawyers e-Journal

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

Photograph by
Jennifer Rosinski

Left to right:
Al Wallis, executive director, Brown Rudnick LLP's Center for the Public Interest; MBA President Valerie A. Yarashus, Joseph F. Ryan, chief executive officer, Brown Rudnick LLP; and Elizabeth A. O'Neil, director of Public and Community Services at the MBA with the $25,000 check.

MBA celebrates Mock Trial support from Brown Rudnick

Firm donates $25,000 to fund program in its 25th year

Brown Rudnick LLP, through its Center for the Public Interest,
has donated $25,000 to the Massachusetts Bar Association's 2010
Mock Trial Program. Brown Rudnick has been the lead financial
underwriter since 1998 and has contributed more than a quarter
million dollars to the program, now celebrating its 25th
anniversary.

"The MBA is honored that Brown Rudnick has decided to once again
continue its generous legacy with our popular Mock Trial Program,"
MBA President Valerie A. Yarashus said. "The program provides high
school students with the unique opportunity of learning about the
law while experiencing it as an advocate."

First organized in 1985, the tournament places high school
students in a simulated courtroom to assume the roles of lawyers
and witnesses in a hypothetical case. This year's civil case
involves an individual who suffers a substantial financial loss
after investing a daughter's college funds with a financial advisor
at a brokerage firm. The case focuses on whether the firm, and/or
the advisor are responsible for those losses. This case gives
students an opportunity to learn about the importance of
decision-making in the investment of personal funds.

"Brown Rudnick's support has provided continuity and stability for
this important educational civic program," said Al Wallis,
executive director of the Brown Rudnick Center for the Public
Interest. "We particularly proud to be continuing our support as
the MBA approaches its 100th anniversary anniversary,
and as the Mock Trial Program celebrates 25 years."

At least 1,500 students at more than 100 schools across the
commonwealth are expected to participate in the 2010 Mock Trial
Program. More than 100 lawyers across the state will serve as
volunteer coaches and judges.